DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL Revision Notes 2015

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2015

Last exams 2025

Ecosystems & Ecology

Species, Habitats & Niches

Abiotic & Biotic Factors

Population Interactions, Limiting Factors & Carrying Capacity

Population Growth

Communities & Ecosystems

Pyramid of Productivity

What is Bioaccumulation & Biomagnification?

Pathways of Energy Entering the Atmosphere

Energy Transfer & Transformation

Productivity & Maximum Sustainable Yield

What is the Carbon Cycle?

What is the Nitrogen Cycle?

What are Biomes?

Tricellular Model of Atmospheric Circulation

Spatial & Temporal Changes in Communities

Pioneer & Climax Communities

Human Impact on Succession

Studying Ecosystems

Measuring Abiotic Components of Ecosystems

Measuring Biotic Components of Ecosystems

Species Richness & Diversity

Estimating Biomass & Energy of Trophic Levels

Measuring Changes in Ecosystems

Biodiversity & Conservation

What is Biodiversity?

Diversity Indices

What are the Methods of Conserving Biodiversity?

Biodiversity Arises from Evolutionary Processes

The Role of Isolation in Forming New Species

Plate Activity

What Caused Mass Extinctions on Earth?

The Number of Species on Earth

Tropical Biomes & Sustainable Development

Determining Conservation Status

Extinct, Critically Endangered & Improving Species

Preserving Biodiversity

Conservation Organisations & International Conventions

Biodiversity Conservation Approaches & Designing Protected Areas

Strategies of Biodiversity Conservation

Comparing Biodiversity Conservation Approaches

Water & Aquatic Food Production Systems & Societies

The Hydrological Cycle

Human Impact on the Hydrological Cycle

Ocean Circulation

Access to Fresh Water Issues

Fresh Water Conflicts

Sustainable Management of Fresh Water Resources

Demand for Aquatic Food Production

What is Aquaculture?

Issues in Aquaculture

Unsustainable Fishing Practices

Sources of Fresh Water & Marine Pollution

Measuring Water Quality

Biodegradation of Organic Material

Indicator Species

What is Eutrophication?

Water Pollution Management Strategies

Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

Soil Profiles

Soil Systems

Soil Structures & Properties

Sustainability of Terrestrial Food Production Systems

Inequalities & Food Waste

Links Between Social Systems & Food Production Systems

Comparing Terrestrial Food Production Systems

Increasing Sustainability of Food Production Systems

Soil Ecosystems

Soil Degradation

Soil Conservation

Atmospheric Systems & Societies

The Atmosphere as a Dynamic System

Human Impact on Atmospheric Composition

Greenhouse Effect

UV Radiation & Ozone

Biological Effects of UV Radiation

Reducing Ozone Depletion

Primary & Secondary Pollutants

Trophospheric Ozone

Smog

Air Pollution Management Strategies

Acid Deposition: Causes & Effects

Pollution Management Strategies for Acid Deposition

Climate Change & Energy Production

What are Fossil Fuels?

Renewable & Alternative Energy Sources

Energy Security Strategy

What is the Difference Between Weather & Climate?

What are Greenhouse Gases?

Positive & Negative Impacts of Climate Change

Causes of Climate Change

Climate Change: Mitigation Strategies

Removal of Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere

Climate Change Adaptation Strategies

International Policy on Climate Change

Human Systems & Resource Use

Demographic Variables

Human Population Growth Curve

Human Population Models

Factors Affecting Population Dynamics

Natural Capital & Sustainability

The Nature of Natural Capital

Solid Domestic Waste

Waste Disposal Methods

Managing Solid Domestic Waste

Carrying Capacity

Human Population & Ecological Footprints

Limits to Human Population Growth

Exam boards

Study tools

DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) · Exam Questions

DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS): SL Revision Notes

Foundations of ESS

Ecosystems & Ecology

Biodiversity & Conservation

Water & Aquatic Food Production Systems & Societies

Soil Systems & Terrestrial Food Production Systems & Societies

Atmospheric Systems & Societies

Climate Change & Energy Production

Human Systems & Resource Use